Humpback Whale Latest News
Recently, it was found that Humpback whale populations have surged from 10,000 to nearly 80,000 because of conservation efforts and the species incredible ability to adapt and switch food sources.
About Humpback Whale
- The Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale.
- It is a rorqual; a member of the family Balaenopteridae.
- They undertake long migrations between polar feeding grounds in summer and tropical or subtropical breeding grounds in winter.
- Appearance
- It has the distinctive hump on its back.
- Its long pectoral fins inspired its scientific name, Megaptera, which means “big-winged”
- Humpback females are larger than males.
- Distribution: They inhabit all major oceans from sub-polar latitudes to the equator
- Behavior: Humpbacks use a unique method of feeding called bubble netting, in which bubbles are exhaled as the whale swims in a spiral below a patch of water dense with food.
- Diet: They filter their food through baleen plates. They strain krill, anchovies, cod, sardines, mackerel, capelin, and other schooling fish from the waters.
- Lifespan & Reproduction: Humpback whales reach sexual maturity between the ages of 4 and 10 years. Females produce a single calf every 2 to 3 years on average.
- Conservation status: IUCN: Least concern
Source: India Today
Humpback Whale FAQs
Q1: What is the scientific name of the Humpback Whale?
Ans: Megaptera novaeangliae
Q2: What is the conservation status of Humpback Whales?
Ans: Least Concern
